17 JUNE 1871, Page 23

The Defence of Parts. Narrated as it was seen by

Thomas Gibson 33owles, Special Correspondent of the Morning Post in Paris during the Siege; with Illustrations, and a Map of Paris. (London: Sampson Low, Son, and Marston. 1871.)—Mr. T. G. Bowles certainly belongs to the best class of our newspaper war correspondents. He has seen a great deal, and writes well of what he has seen. He claims in his preface to have "enjoyed alone the rare advantage of bearing General Trochu's special pass, and consequently the power of free movement within and without the walls daring nearly the whole of the siege." Probably his work may remain as the leading record for the library, of what must henceforth, alas ! be known only as the first siege of Paris. The few illustrations of M. James Tissot,—single figures prefixed to some of the chapters, and headed "A Fugitive from Sedan," "A National Guard," ."The French Linesman," "Le Petit Moblot," "Outpost Duty," " Wounded," and last, not least, "A Special Correspondent," are admir- able. But the volume is a thick one, the conclusions—e.g., as to Trochu's incapacity—are mach the same as those of the "Besieged Resident," and on the whole, it is to be feared that the work of that veracious gen- tleman will have forestalled most, if not all, of Mr. Bowles's possible share of popularity.